A talented class of draft prospects now have new homes. The 2026 WNBA Draft is in the books as the league’s offseason continues to move at a rapid pace. It was a class that featured plenty of intrigue on how the order at the summit would pan out. There was some deja vu at hand with the Dalla s Wings picking first and a UConn guard being in contention to go No. 1 overall, following in Paige Bueckers’ footsteps. Dallas did just that, taking Azzi Fudd at No. 1 following Bueckers’ top overall pick last year. It’s a move that comes with risks, but only time will tell if pairing Bueckers with another guard — especially one who is her girlfriend — was the right choice despite other top centers being in the mix. Let’s break down the WNBA draft further with winners and losers: MORE WNBA COVERAGE WNBA 14 hours ago The picks are in. See every selection from the 2026 WNBA Draft WNBA 13 hours ago What is Azzi Fudd's WNBA salary? Here's how much 2026 No. 1 pick will make WNBA 12 hours ago Picks galore: How UCLA made history at the 2026 WNBA Draft WINNER: UCLA Though the international game is still growing for women’s hoops, the quality of such prospects aren’t at the required level just yet (it’s getting there). College basketball is still the forefront for player development into the majors, and the UCLA Bruins became the latest example. Fresh off winning the program’s first ever championship in a rout over South Carolina, the Bruins were the highlight of the night with a record six draftees: Lauren Betts (Washington), Gabriela Jaquez (Chicago), Kiki Rice (Toronto), Angela Dugalic (Washington), Gianna Kneepkens (Connecticut), and Charlisse Leger-Walker (Connecticut). It’s the most a school has had in a single draft, with five going in the first round to set another mark. LOSER: Golden State Valkyries’ questionable choice When LSU forward Flau’jae Johnson remained available at No. 8, it seemed like a layup for the Golden State Valkyries. After a stunning rise in their debut season, Johnson has the energy, charisma and potential to be a seat-seller and increase the team’s marketability. So Golden State took her when she could’ve gone earlier, but it didn’t last long. Early in the second round, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert made the stunning announcement that Golden State dealt Johnson to the Seattle Storm for No. 16 pick Marta Suarez of TCU and a 2028 second-rounder. Social media had various reactions, but it feels strange for Golden State to shop Johnson for a non-first-round selection while landing a second-round pick that’s still two years away. Maybe Golden State sees something early, but there’s also the question of whether there was a better deal to be made if trading her was always the plan. Suarez is coming off a solid fifth year at TCU and is an intriguing profile with her size and shooting ability, but there will be some pressure to navigate in the Bay. WINNER: Washington Mystics keep stacking Last year, Washington made first-round selections at picks No. 3, 4 and 6, landing Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Georgia Amoore. Amoore tore her ACL early, but both Citron and Iriafen were named All-Stars along with spots on the All-Rookie Team. This year, Washington also made three first-round picks: UCLA’s Betts at No. 4 followed by Bruins teammate Dugalic at No. 9 before taking Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon at No. 11. Those three are a great blend of profiles, with Betts being a dominant 6-foot-7 center, Dugalic being a versatile stretch four and McMahon being an on-the-ball high-volume scorer with solid forward size. The Mystics also added G/F Cassandre Prosper at No. 19 overall, F Darianna Littlepage-Buggs at No. 30 and G Rori Harmon at No. 34. Not every prospect will work out, but the Mystics are in tremendous position to take a leap within a few seasons if players develop accordingly. Keep an eye on Washington. LOSER: A major fall to the second round Many draft boards had Ta’Niya Latson essentially locked as a first-round pick, even if it came toward the back half. But 15 picks later, she was still available. Fudd, Rice and Olivia Miles were expected to go before the 5-foot-9 Latson and they did, but then so did Gamecocks teammate Raven Johnson, Duke’s Taina Mair and Leger-Walker. Latson eventually went in the second round at No. 20 overall to the Los Angeles Sparks. It was perhaps the most stunning fall of the draft. Latson spent three years at Florida State, where she averaged 21-plus points in each season before transferring to South Carolina in her final year. Her points average dipped to just 14.1, but there was still optimism her experience under Dawn Staley and competing for a national championship would keep her in first-round conversations. It might not have been her ideal night, but Los Angeles is an excellent consolation prize if she wants to rewrite her story in the ‘W. WINNER: Seattle Storm looks to bounce back There’s been some internal storms in Seattle in regards to misconduct allegations in recent years, but it’s a new era as Sonia Raman steps in as head coach. Seattle’s top five scorers from last season are all gone: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Brittney Sykes and Erica Wheeler. To fill the void, Seattle underwent a youth rebuild by taking Spanish center Awa Fam at No. 3 overall and Duke guard Mair at No. 14, along with trading for LSU’s Johnson. Forward Grace VanSlooten came in at No. 39 in the third round. Fam is a 6-foot-4 center who arguably has the highest ceiling given she doesn’t turn 20 until June compared to her older counterparts. But in order to maximize her development odds, she needed to go somewhere where she’d be afforded time. Seattle checks that box, and Mair compliments her as a playmaking guard who can shoot. Johnson will also add to the excitement as an electric forward. Patience will be required, but it could definitely be a virtue in this case. ...read more read less